Current TV Already Removed from Time Warner Cable

At least one large cable system has removed Current TV from the lineup following Al Jazeera’s $500 million acquisition of the network. Late today NYT’s Brian Stelterspoke with reps from Time Warner Cable in New York City who said a clause in their contract allows them to remove the channel, adding, “We are removing the service as quickly as possible.” The plug was pulled following Eliot Spitzer‘s 8pm show. It was Spitzer who told ourDiane Clehane a few weeks ago, “Nobody’s watching, but I’m having a great time.”

Stelter reports former VP Al Gore, a 20% owner of Current, stands to make $100 million on the deal. He and majority owner Joel Hyatt will sit on an advisory board as Al Jazeera launches a new channel for an American audience which is expected to include about 60% of coverage from Al Jazeera English, which is also in limited distribution in the U.S. Time Warner Cable, which accounted for 14 million Current subscribers, is not planning to carry the new channel.